Find out why youth is the future of national sport

Youth are being urged to get in the saddle as the next generation of athletes and make a commitment to health on a national scale.

After a landmark win on home turf for UAE Team Emirates at the Abu Dhabi Tour with Portuguese cyclist Rui Costa (pictured) taking the overall trophy, president Matar Al Dhaheri underlined the importance of driving the sport forward on a national level.

“I have no doubt the next generation will be part of the sport – we’re pushing this all the way,” he said, speaking to Abu Dhabi World.

“You can see the leaders of the UAE are leading by example, and this shows in sport,” he added. “Cycling is one of the fastest growing sports in the region.”

Undertaken in four stages across the capital, Abu Dhabi Tour marked the UAE’s first participation in the annual UCI WorldTour elite male cycling event.

While the team will go on to compete internationally, Al Dhaheri is keen to emphasise the team’s ethos of health on local shores.

“We’re trying to do something for our community and country,” he reflected. “This team belongs to the country and will support them in that 100 percent. They may be competing worldwide, but they’re also here to make people aware that our health is important.”